Waterstons provided strategic IT management and services to Durham Business School over many years. They helped upgrade the school's infrastructure, introduced technologies to enhance virtual learning, and configured systems like Microsoft CRM to improve administration efficiency. These changes supported the school's goal of providing a high quality educational experience and becoming a top European business school. Benefits included an improved learning experience, higher productivity, better knowledge sharing, and a more resilient IT infrastructure. Future plans include expanding the use of CRM and introducing new systems for programme management and key performance indicators.

1. CASE STUDY
CREATIVE • PROACTIVE • DEPENDABLE
Partners in business education
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
IT CONSULTING
“We chose Waterstons because of their ability to deliver
MICROSOFT APPLICATION
innovative solutions to business problems and the close
SOLUTIONS
relationship their account management system provides.”
Steve Prior, Director of Operations and Business Development,
Durham Business School
CUSTOMER PROFILE • Remote management and monitoring of the
THE CHALLENGE
business school’s server farm was introduced
Durham Business School (DBS) is one of Information Technology is rapidly becoming
to ensure maximum uptime.
the premier European business schools. a key enabler for delivering high quality and
• The lecture theatre and seminar IT equipment
responsive education and training. The growth
As part of Durham University it has was revamped to provide improved and
in part time and distance learning allied to
acquired an unprecedented reputation simple to use facilities.
student demands for modern computer systems
for business related research and and facilities is placing increasing demands on
for delivering high quality business Virtual Learning
incumbent IT staff.
education and training through its MBA Various different technologies were introduced
programmes and Executive Education In addition the modern business student has a to enhance the business school’s virtual learning
services. well developed level of technical awareness and environment, including:
computer literacy. They arrive at the educational
A critical part of DBS’s appeal to • Citrix thin client to allow Distance learning
institute of their choice with high expectations of
its students is the suite of IT tools students access to a full business school
receiving quality education supported by reliable
and extensive communication and desktop.
and enabling IT systems.
collaboration systems available to
• Online access to seminars and lectures using
help them further their education and The challenge at Durham Business School (DBS)
video streaming technology.
learning. was to make the IT services in the institute a key
competitive advantage in the quest for new high • Interactive On-Line audio video conferencing
Waterstons have supplied DBS with achieving students. allowing students to attend tutorials or
strategic IT management and a range
converse with their tutors.
of flexible IT services from 2001 to the
IMPLEMENTATION
present day and have worked in close • A school wide intranet based on Microsoft
partnership to create leading edge Office SharePoint.
Waterstons manage a mixed team of
administrative and virtual learning Waterstons and University IT staff that report
• The creation of a research portal to share
facilities that have reinforced DBS’s to the Operations Director of DBS. In the time
papers, documents and research results.
position as a leading business school. Waterstons have been involved the IT team has
completed a range of value adding educational Efficient Administration
projects including: • Microsoft CRM has been configured to
manage all aspects of the Administration and
Creating an IT Strategy
Registration processes for new students.
Waterstons worked closely with DBS to create an
• All room booking and other forms based
IT strategy tightly integrated with the school’s
administrative work flows have been
business plan. The primary focus was to achieve
automated with big savings in time.
DBS’s business objective of becoming amongst
the top business schools in Europe.
Infrastructure
• Waterstons have rationalised and upgraded
the business school’s server farm,
incorporating virtual technology, to increase
their resilience and disaster recovery capacity.
• telephone: 0845 094 094 5 • website: www.waterstons.com
e-mail: info@waterstons.com

2. CREATIVE • PROACTIVE • DEPENDABLE
More Information
FUTURE PLANS TECHNOLOGIES BENEFITS
The following projects are planned for Waterstons have used the following To date the following benefits have been
implementation at Durham Business School: technologies during their strategic partnership realised:
with DBS:
• Expanding the CRM system to include • A clear and well communicated strategy
efficient programme management. Infrastructure for using IT to improve the administrative,
educational and research performance of the
• Utilising CRM to manage contact with • VMware virtual server
Business School.
corporate and educational partners and
• Microsoft Server 2003
alumni. • Improved learning experience for distance
learning and full time students.
• Microsoft SQL Server 2005
• The introduction of an MIS system for
presenting key financial and operational KPI’s • Improved productivity and student and
Virtual Learning
to managers. management service from the administrative
• Blackboard
groups.
• Individualised department and student
• Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007
portals to aid access to learning materials, • Greater knowledge and information sharing
calendars, course information and key virtual to help the educational and research
• Microsoft Office 2007
learning facilities. processes.
• WiredRed e/pop
• More resilient and secure infrastructure that
• eStream
significantly lowers business risk.
Efficient Administration
• Closer communications with corporate and
business partners.
• Microsoft Forms Server
• Stronger links to the Alumni community.
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM
• Microsoft Office Performance Point Server
“Durham Business School staff are now able to spend their time doing
what is beneficial to the business: looking after its valued students.”
Steve Prior, Director of Operations and Business Development,
Durham Business School
This technology in education diagram shows the extensive way
information technology can support an educational institution.
• telephone: 0845 094 094 5 • website: www.waterstons.com
e-mail: info@waterstons.com